Product Media

Product Description

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The son of immigrants, young Christopher Yuan was attracted to other boys. As he grew older, his mother, Angela, tried to change the situation. Instead, she found her own life out of control. Their mutual story of heartbreak, confusion---and surrender to God---offers hope for anybody affected by homosexuality. Includes guide for personal reflection and small-group discussion. 240 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

Publisher's Description

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Coming Out, Then Coming Home

Christopher Yuan, the son of Chinese immigrants, discovered at an early age that he was different. He was attracted to other boys. As he grew into adulthood, his mother, Angela, hoped to control the situation. Instead, she found that her son and her life were spiraling out of controland her own personal demons were determined to defeat her.

Years of heartbreak, confusion, and prayer followed before the Yuans found a place of complete surrender, which is Gods desire for all families. Their amazing story, told from the perspectives of both mother and son, offers hope for anyone affected by homosexuality.

God calls all who are lost to come home to him. Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20

Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use.

Author Bio

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Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan travel nationally and internationally to speak at churches, conferences, youth conventions, and colleges about Gods desire for prodigals of all types to return to him. Angela is a businesswoman and advocate for Chinese-American cultural causes. Christopher teaches at Moody Bible Institute (MBI). He holds a bachelor's degree from MBI, a master's degree in biblical exegesis from Wheaton College Graduate School and a doctorate of ministry from Bethel Seminary.

Endorsements

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"Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan have told the story of their miraculous journey from broken lives, relationships, and dreams to a place of hope and healing. Out of a Far Country brings home the living truth that in the midst of a broken and hurting world, God is at work to redeem, renew, and reconcile his beloved. Im particularly happy to endorse this book because Christopher, like myself, was broken in prison and redeemed by Christ." - Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview

"Out of a Far Country reads like a modern rendition of the prodigal son parable, only it is more gripping. The journey taken by Christopher Yuan is rarely documented. Be prepared, for the raw emotions of both mother and son authentically mark every page. The spiritual lessons to be gained from this book are many. May it gain a vast audience!" - J. Paul Nyquist, PhD, president of Moody Bible Institute

"This is a moving account of how an Asian mother's fragile love turns into a prayerful, patient, and tenacious force of forgiveness. It is also a gripping narrative of a son's search for belonging and meaning. Out of a Far Country breeds hope in every despairing heart." - Lisa Espineli Chinn, director of International Student Ministries for InterVarsity/USA

"The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and calls them by name. Christopher Yuan, trapped in a life of drugs and sexual addiction, heard that call and rose to follow Jesus. His and his mother's account of that rising is a profound story of redemption that all of us in this broken generation need to hear." - Duane Litfin, president emeritus of Wheaton College in Illinois

"Relevant, courageous, fascinating, and much more. I have known the Yuans for many years, and their walk is in line with their talk. This important and needed story goes against the wind, but it is one hundred percent in the right direction." - Dr. George Verwer, founder and former international director of Operation Mobilisation

"Out of a Far Country is a true-life parable of saving grace for a prodigal mother and a wayward son who needed God's forgiveness. Their story will warm the heart and lift the spirit of every parent who prays for a wandering child and every believer who needs to be reminded why the gospel is good news." - Dr. Philip G. Ryken, president of Wheaton College in Illinois

"At one point, Angela and Christopher were living worlds apart. I have heard their story countless times, and it never grows old. I know you will be amazed by the God who did the impossible to bring this mother and son back together." - Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International

"This is the story of God's persistent chase of a wayward son through the prayers and love of a determined mother. But even more, it is a testimony to the fact that loving God is a far more satisfying pursuit than following our own desires. I am thankful that Christopher and Angela are willing to be so transparent about their journey. Christopher's desire to follow Christ regardless of the struggle stands as a model for all who desire to love God with all their heart." - Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, president of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan

"God snatched Christopher Yuan from a desperately empty life and offered him the hope of Jesus Christ. This is a story of God's redemption, love, and mercy in the midst of overwhelming sin and a heart that was far from God. Get two copies of this bookyou will want to give one to a friend who needs Jesus." - Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois

Editorial Reviews

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Praise for Out of a Far Country

"Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan have told the story of their miraculous journey from broken lives, relationships, and dreams to a place of hope and healing. Out of a Far Country brings home the living truth that in the midst of a broken and hurting world, God is at work to redeem, renew, and reconcile his beloved. Im particularly happy to endorse this book because Christopher, like myself, was broken in prison and redeemed by Christ."Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview

"Out of a Far Country reads like a modern rendition of the prodigal son parable, only it is more gripping. The journey taken by Christopher Yuan is rarely documented. Be prepared, for the raw emotions of both mother and son authentically mark every page. The spiritual lessons to be gained from this book are many. May it gain a vast audience!"J. Paul Nyquist, PhD, president of Moody Bible Institute

"This is a moving account of how an Asian mothers fragile love turns into a prayerful, patient, and tenacious force of forgiveness. It is also a gripping narrative of a sons search for belonging and meaning. Out of a Far Country breeds hope in every despairing heart."Lisa Espineli Chinn, director of International Student Ministries for InterVarsity/USA

"The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and calls them by name. Christopher Yuan, trapped in a life of drugs and sexual addiction, heard that call and rose to follow Jesus. His and his mothers account of that rising is a profound story of redemption that all of us in this broken generation need to hear."Duane Litfin, president emeritus of Wheaton College in Illinois

"Relevant, courageous, fascinating, and much more. I have known the Yuans for many years, and their walk is in line with their talk. This important and needed story goes against the wind, but it is one hundred percent in the right direction."Dr. George Verwer, founder and former international director of Operation Mobilisation

"Out of a Far Country is a true-life parable of saving grace for a prodigal mother and a wayward son who needed Gods forgiveness. Their story will warm the heart and lift the spirit of every parent who prays for a wandering child and every believer who needs to be reminded why the gospel is good news."Dr. Philip G. Ryken, president of Wheaton College in Illinois

"At one point, Angela and Christopher were living worlds apart. I have heard their story countless times, and it never grows old. I know you will be amazed by the God who did the impossible to bring this mother and son back together."Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International

"This is the story of Gods persistent chase of a wayward son through the prayers and love of a determined mother. But even more, it is a testimony to the fact that loving God is a far more satisfying pursuit than following our own desires. I am thankful that Christopher and Angela are willing to be so transparent about their journey. Christophers desire to follow Christ regardless of the struggle stands as a model for all who desire to love God with all their heart."Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, president of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan

"God snatched Christopher Yuan from a desperately empty life and offered him the hope of Jesus Christ. This is a story of Gods redemption, love, and mercy in the midst of overwhelming sin and a heart that was far from God. Get two copies of this bookyou will want to give one to a friend who needs Jesus."Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois

"The story of Angela Yuan and Christopher Yuan, Out of a Far Country, will minister rich grace and hope to mothers who are praying for the return of a prodigal, to the prodigals they love, and to anyone battling a sinful addiction that seems impossible to overcome. This is a deeply moving account of Gods amazing power and love."Nancy Leigh DeMoss, best-selling author, host of the Revive Our Hearts radio program

I have bought this book for several friends who are dealing with children struggling with a variety of issues, and all have found it so helpful. It is well written and reflects the struggles of both mom and son with honesty and love. The mom's faith is such a wonderful example of perseverance and God's mercy and love.

This story of a family in crisis is a rare treat. Written in journal form, mother and son cover over seven years of amazing grace at work under the darkest of conditions. We all need to have our hearts refreshed and encouraged by such raw and riveting accounts of God's sovereign love and mercy saving a proud controlling Asian mother, a detached workaholic dentist father, revitalizing a dead marriage, and rescuing a hopelessly addicted son who failed out of dental school. We are in a culture war that is destroying our people who have been feed lies upon lies seeing homosexuality celebrated in the media, and who see it as harmless sexual alternative . This book blows the doors of these modern cultural delusions about sexual sins. Here is a clear call to "holy sexuality" as God created it to be enjoyed in a marriage of a man and woman have a godly fear of Him and know His loving grace.

Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. (Paperback)

I had heard of Christopher's life and the book that he and his mother wrote after I read Wesley Hill's excellent book, Washed and Waiting. I'm not sure, but I believe that after learning about Christopher, it was then that I searched and found video clips of him speaking on Youtube. I was impressed by the presentation Christopher made as an intelligent and obviously, spiritually changed person. There seemed nothing artificial about Christopher. He didn't propose to convince that some miracle had or would change his same-gender attraction, but he was obviously changed by the Holy Spirit to identify himself with his Saviour. He had set his priorities in order with his relationship to God as first. I decided, despite the piles of books I'm presently reading, to buy the book and read it. Coming from where he reports in his autobiography (with Angela Yuan, his mother) I doubt he could still follow the life he had before and either present himself as he does in the video clips or write the book. Having known many homosexuals in work (therapeutic) that I did and having attended conferences supposedly meant to sell that the "bent" gender attraction could change, I saw instead in Christopher a true follower of His Lord who desired, in the years left him (having been diagnosed as HIV+) to serve his Lord and reach out to many with the new life offered by Jesus Christ. The absence of pretence in Christopher should interest any who having become tired of identifying themselves on the basis of their sexuality or become tired of suffering the battles with the reality of their sexuality, may desire to experience what freedom God has provided before we join Him in Eternity. I'd highly recommend this book not only to any who know the struggles and recognise them as struggles and to those whose work is intended to help persons who've given up the play-acting that all is well as a homosexual, but also to any parent of a child (even an adult) who lives with homosexuality. Of course, this may be refuted by those who see homosexuality as "normal" and something that is a matter of "pride" (apparently mistaking the definition of what pride is about)--I cannot see how anyone can remain so deluded. We shall not experience perfection in this life and we shall deal with trials that continue. Christopher would seem to me to be one guy with exceptional integrity; however, as we have not come into perfection yet, if he sometimes is tempted or attracted by men, he is after all, as those who follow the Saviour, still "a work in progress." Neither temptation nor such attraction is sin, and even sin can still be forgiven by the sacrifice of the Lord.

Out of a Far Country is a book that each person should pick up and read--and it is an easy read, too! In a world where there is so much debate and argument about homosexuality, this book provides a biblical view on homosexuality in the stories of Christopher Yuan and his mother Angela. Christopher, a man with a gay background, provides an unbiased, truthful account of his life story. There are some graphic details, but their stories give a glimpse into the world of a gay man and his mother, and give a connection point with those who have a homosexual lifestyle. I really do think that each person should pick up this book and read it, no matter where he or she stands with regards to homosexuality.

Author/Artist Review

Tell us a little about yourself. What many would consider their worst nightmare has become a reality for Christopher Yuan. While attending dental school, he began living promiscuously as a homosexual and experimenting with illicit drugs. Within a few years, he was expelled from dental school, imprisoned for drug dealing and discovered that he was HIV positive.

But God has turned his nightmare into an exciting and inspiring story of redemption, grace and transformation. Christopher has an understanding heart for and a desire to minister to those working through issues of sexuality and to those living with HIV/AIDS. He speaks locally and internationally to youth, on college campuses, in churches and in prisons.

Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and Wheaton College Graduate School in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis and is currently pursuing a doctorate of ministry at Bethel Seminary. He now teaches at Moody while continuing his speaking ministry which has reached four continents around the world. Christopher has spoken at both Saddleback Church and Willow Creek Community Church in America and at many conferences including InterVarsity's Urbana and the Moody Pastors' Conference and Men's Conference.

He is featured in the award-winning documentary, "HOPE Positive: Surviving the Sentence of AIDS" and has co-authored with his mother, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God, A Broken Mother's Search for Hope (forthcoming May 3, 2011 by WaterBrook Multnomah a division of Random House).

What was your motivation behind this project? We hope that it gets into the hands of those who have given up or are about to give up hope. And we pray that prodigals discover that they can always come homeÑno matter how far the country. Our Heavenly Father is waiting!